Death in the Spotlight - Robin Stevens

Death in the Spotlight - Robin Stevens.

We've been eagerly waiting for the next instalment of Daisy and Hazel's thrilling adventures since their foray into the Natural History Museum in July so I think it's fair to say that we were thrilled to get our hands on an early copy of the book (in fact O's jaw hit the floor and he did a happy dance around the room whilst clutching it in his hands!).   Normally, we take it turns to read books, but not this time ... it immediately became a two bookmark book as we read it simultaneously ... O reading it before and after school whilst I read it during ERIC time in the classroom (and yes, it did cause a stir that involved shrieking the first time it was seen!) and after O had reluctantly relinquished it when he went to bed! 

So ... the plot...

Following their adventures in Hong Kong, Daisy and Hazel have been sent to stay with Daisy’s Uncle Felix and his new wife, Lucy, in London where it is thought they will be kept away from trouble and gruesome murders!! When Aunt Lucy is called in to work, she decides that sending the girls to be bit parts in a production of Romeo and Juliet at the Rue Theatre will keep them safe; however, upon their arrival, they quickly discover that the cast are all squabbling with each other and then, of course, somebody is murdered!  Whilst they are pleased to see their old friend, Inspector Priestly, turn up to  investigate the case, they quickly decide that it is up to them to discover who committed the dastardly deed!

O's opinion

This book is absolutely, without a doubt, the best book in the world right now! I love how Robin writes these investigations because we never know who committed the crime until the very end. I also love how it’s not just Daisy who leads the duo: at some points Hazel was also leading the investigation, and I have to say that I think the twist at the end is her best yet!

Hazel is my favourite character in the whole series because she is very courageous and brave: to begin with, she didn’t like seeing dead bodies, she has now seen 8 and is still creeped out but doesn’t shriek any more. I also think she has developed in confidence as well with the trip to Hong Kong and coming back to the theatre. 

This book is amazing, dramatic and suspenseful all in one. I loved it and it deserves a standing ovation!

K's opinion

Whenever I begin a Robin Stevens book, I aim to figure out who the culprit is before it is revealed in the book and I've never succeeded! Going in to Death in the Spotlight, I was more resolute than ever ... and failed again in most spectacular fashion!!  I take my hat off to you for this one, Robin, the end definitely made me gasp in surprise!!!

The girls are growing up and the change in them is lovely to see. Whilst still reflecting the times Daisy and Hazel live in, Robin has managed to allow the them to develop as people and also weave in issues that are relevant today in a way that will resonate with those who need it in a very gentle but poignant tone.  I was thrilled to see Hazel continuing to grow in confidence, finding that she can stand-up to Daisy and over-come her fears. It was also good to see Daisy discovering more about herself as well (I'm trying to explain my thoughts without giving anything away!)

It will come as no surprise that there is a huge buzz of excitement about this book in school and for very good reasons. These books are full of adventure and excitement whilst leaving you guessing until the very end. As O said, Death in the Spotlight gets a standing ovation from us with a huge cry of “Encore!”. We can't wait for the next one!

Robin reading an extract from Death in the Spotlight at Broughton Hall Children's Literature Festival this weekend.  O and I were lucky enough to spend the weekend there and loved every minute of it. 

The Way Past Winter - Kiran Millwood Hargrave

The Way Past Winter - Kiran Millwood Hargrave.

Mila lives with her brother, Oskar, and their sisters, Pipa and Sanna, following the death of their mother (whilst giving birth to Pipa) and the disappearance of their father.

One night, a mysterious stranger comes to their door, requesting shelter for himself and his men - is it just Mila who sees that he seems to hover above the snow?  The following morning, the men have gone ... and so has Oskar ... as have all the boys in the village, except Rune, a mage.

Convinced that the mysterious stranger is at the heart of all of this and determined to save her brother, Mila sets out, with the help of Rune, on a daring (and sometimes terrifying) journey towards the North and Thule.  But can they make it in time and what will they discover when they get there?

O's opinion:

I really enjoyed the book, but Mum's already written her opinion and I made the mistake of reading it and found out that I agree with what's she said!!

I found that I really liked the fact that the book was written in a more traditional style yet a sense of mystery and adventure was strongly evident (I found I was willing the brother to be OK).  I also loved how Mila didn't give up, even when her sisters did.  I liked her sense of determination.

This was a really good book and I can't wait for another novel from this brilliant author.

K's opinion:

I'm a huge fan of Kiran's books and so was thrilled (actually giddy with excitement would be a better description) when I finally got my hands on a coveted proof-copy of this book ... and wow!  I wasn't disappointed.

There is a poetic elegance to the writing that simply left me speechless.  It is so beautifully written that I could only marvel as the story unfurled from the pages and bound itself into my soul so effortlessly (rather like the golden cords!).  You will feel connected to the characters long after the final page has been read.

As an English teacher, I'm always looking for ways to inspire the children in their own writing and The Way Past Winter has proved an invaluable resource.  Whilst reading it, I have ear-marked vocabulary and phrases to help develop the children's writing (you can see just some of the markers in the picture!) and the book, having sat tantalisingly on my desk for the past week, has caused many a curious child to take a look!  Their interest has been piqued and I know they will be thrilled when they discover that Kiran will be visiting school in a few weeks' time.

But back to the book ... I always love to see strong female characters portrayed in stories and Mila and her sisters didn't disappoint - it's important to see that girls can be strong, determined and fierce when they need/want to be.  Yet I feel that it is Rune whole stole my heart: his calm, composed manner and his resolute sense of self sends a message to us all ... know yourself; be true to yourself and be proud of who you are.

This is a triumph of a novel, Kiran; I am simply in awe of your writing (and just a little bit jealous!) and look forward to thanking you in person for writing it when you come to school!

A Darkness of Dragons - S A Patrick

A Darkness of Dragons - S A Patrick

‘There is magic in music.’

Patch is trying to make his way in the world as a piper when he is sentenced to serve jail time (a very, very long sentence) for playing a forbidden spell on his pipe which endangers those around him.

Whilst in his cell, he uncovers a secret about the evil Piper of Hamlyn and, after the dragons attack the castle where he's imprissoned inadvertently allow him to escape, he must uncover the truth about the Piper of Hamlyn who is on the loose.

Together with his friend Wren (a girl cursed to live as a rat) and Barber (the outcast dracogriff) they embark on a journey to try to save the day.

O's Opinion

From the start, this book is high-paced and energetic, so I had to keep reading to find out what happened. I was intrigued from the beginning and I loved it to the end.This amazing read was a page turner and I couldn't stop reading because, towards the end the suspense increased even further!

I loved Wren because she was determined to help Patch and not think about herself first. She was kind to him and helped him escape and wasn't scared about anything. I was surprised at how helpful Barver was to them and how friendly he was.

K's Opinion

This is a book full of adventure and excitement, anticipation and enough twists and turns to keep you on your toes.  The power of friendship and the strength of the bond that develops between the main characters is evident to see, as is the idea of  doing the right thing.

Patch is certainly a character who sticks to his principles, even if it results in him being down on his luck and even imprisoned. He is a very talented piper and a good friend who just wants to help - I spent a lot of the book wanting to reach into the pages to give him a big hug!

Wren is quite the character and I suspect someone that many readers will warm to.  She is a fiercely courageous and stubborn person who doesn't let adversity get to her.  Her bravery could teach us all a lesson!

Braver is probably the most unexpected character in the book: for such a large creature, he has a surprisingly gentle and polite manner which takes everybody by surprise - he epitomises the saying ‘don't judge people by their appearance.’

This is a perfect M.G. book, especially for those who miss Harry Potter!  Read it curled up wrapped in a blanket with a mug of hot chocolate and you'll be left with a reassuringly warm glow.

The Boy at the Back of the Class - Onjali Q. Rauf

The Boy at the Back of the Class - Onjali Q. Rauf

"Mum says that the best books leave you with more questions than answers, and that's the fun part - you have to try to find the answers for yourself somewhere else."

Written in the first person, the book tells the story of 9 year old Ahmet, a refugee who arrives in a classroom unable to speak any English.  Told from the point of view of one of his new class-mates, the story tells the incredible journey of what it's like to join a class where everything and everyone is alien to you and the lengths children will go to when they are determined to become friends.

O's opinion:

From the start I loved how the main character wanted to help Ahmet and make friends with him so started giving him sweets. The fact that Ahmet wasn't talking to anybody for the first few days but started to speak to the children who met him at the end of school made me happy for him. I liked how he started coming out to break and was amazing at football, as this gave him something to connect to his classmates with without the need to talk.

This book is amazing and is one of my favourite reads ever. I loved the friendship that binds the four children together to help Ahmet and makes them want to be friends with him. This book should be on everybody's wish list. A truly stunning read about friendship. AMAZING!

K's opinion:

Everything about this book is beautiful!  

I'd seen lots of Tweets about the book and heard many positive reviews so I was keen to read it; however, I'm not certain how ready I was to be blown away by it!

I think the fact that it's written in the first person gives it a very personal quality and allows emotions to seep through the pages.  

The main character certainly has their own struggles: Dad is dead and Mum works all hours in order to provide for the two of them - I love the idea of their 'adventures' and now see pomegranates wherever I go!  This is a Mum who truly values her time with her child. I think this is why the main character is the driving force behind wanting to become Ahmet's friend and also the one who comes up the with plan to help find his family before 'the gates close'.

Despite the very serious nature of the theme of the book, there is a lightheartedness to it in places, perhaps because it's written from the point of view of a 9 year old, and this allows what is, at times, a very sensitive subject, to become identifiable and accessible to children.

The innocence of the main characters in the book I think is one of the best things about it: they're not swayed by prejudices or preconceived ideas; they simply want to become Ahmet's friend and to help him find his family.  There is most certainly a lesson for all of us to learn from this book.

This is a book about friendship; difference; acceptance; small gestures that can have a big impact; standing up for what you feel is right; perseverance; family (in whatever shape it comes in) - this book packs a big punch in all the best ways.

Favourite quotes from the book : 
"I love being tucked up in bed ... It's the best feeling in the world to be wrapped up all warm and fuzzy in a blanket by someone you love more than anything else on the planet, and who loves you right back."

(because I love this time of day as a Mum)

"Mum says that the best books leave you with more questions than answers, and that's the fun part - you have to try to find the answers for yourself somewhere else."

This is, in all the best possible ways, a book that will leave you with questions, meaning it's a book that will stay with you long after you've read it.  It's a triumph of a novel.

The Clockwork Crow - Catherine Fisher

The Clockwork Crow - Catherine Fisher.

Seren Rhys has spent many years in an orphanage; an ancient aunt took her in but soon died and at the funeral her godfather, whom she's never met, agrees to take charge of her.  Whilst waiting for the train that will take her to their grand home in Wales, a stranger approaches her, terrified, and insists she looks after a mysterious package for him.  

Seren arrives in Plas-y-Fran to find the house deserted, except for Mrs Villiers & Denzil.  Something is wrong but nobody will tell her what.  Together with the contents of the mysterious package, she is determined to get to the bottom of things and see if she can put them right.

K's opinion:

This is a book that draws you in from the very beginning with the arrival of the mysterious package and keeps you guessing.  There is a good deal of mystery and suspense, a sprinkling of magic and some lovely description that will keep Year 5 & 6 children engaged, whilst still managing to be a gentle enough read for Year 3 & 4.

This is a feel-good book; one to read whilst curled up with a mug of hot chocolate whilst it's snowing outside.

O's opinion:

All through the book there was mystery and adventure: wondering about "Them"; the newspaper package and Tomos. The suspense kept me reading until the last page as I was worrying about Seren.

Seren is adventurous and curious, and that is what I like about her. She has everything held back from her so she has to go on adventures to get the answers to her questions.

This is a brilliant read and I would give this book to all of my friends.

Bloomsbury Round-up

Last week Bloomsbury were kind enough to send us a whole host of books so here is our round-up of those...

I Bet I Can Make You Laugh - 

Poems by Joshua Seigal and friends.

 One thing I'm conscious of is that we don't read enough poetry in the house so it was wonderful to receive this book and it came in very handy over the bank holiday weekend!  I was cooking for 9 people on the Friday afternoon and, with the kitchen looking like a bomb had hit it, my nerves were somewhat frazzled!  O appeared in the room, sat down with this book and began reading the poems aloud to me! What a great stress reliever it was!  We laughed and chuckled as I carried on cooking and we both had a great time with the book (dinner was eventually great, too!).

This is definitely heading into the classroom and O has already bookmarked all of the poems he thinks the class will want to hear.  A great book for home or the classroom (and great for reducing stress whilst cooking!)

Voices of the Future

This is a lovely collection of 8 inspiring stories with bright illustrations, each one highlighting how children can play a positive role in their future and the environment.  Covering real-world problems and ways to tackle them, the focus in the stories is teamwork in various different guises (friends, school groups, the local community, governments ...).

At the back of the book is a clear explanation about the UN rights of every child and also the Sustainable Development Goals set by the UN Development Programme.  Each story is linked to these goals using the recognisable symbols.

We loved the positive messages being sent out in each of these stories and the fact that the book is empowering children.  This is a book that I think will be loved by children of all ages (reading these aloud to younger children will help them to understand the messages from an early age).

In school, this book has much potential through PSHE, geography, to spark ideas in creative writing, in assemblies ... or simply for the children to read and enjoy!

This will become a firm fixture in my classroom.

The Last King of England The Story of Athelstand - Stuart Hill

This is the story of Prince Athelstan and how he became the first king of England, told through the eyes of his body-servant (and friend) Edwin, who began his life as a shoemaker's son.

Based on actual events, this book would make a good accompaniment to classwork on the Anglo-Saxons.  At 179 pages long, it's a manageable length and would help to bring that period in history to life for children. 

We enjoyed the story and particularly liked the friendship that forms between Athelstan and Edwin.   

Secrets of a Sun King - Emma Carroll

Secrets of a Sun King - Emma Carroll

Having loved Letters From The Lighthouse (Emma came into our school last year and had the children enthralled), we were keen to get my hands on her new book.

Set in London in 1922, the book follows Lilian Kaye who is desperate to save her grandfather's life as he lies gravely ill in hospital.  After finding a parcel at his flat, she fears he is the victim of King Tutankhamun's curse and takes on the responsibility of returning the canopic jar to its rightful place in Egypt.  Incorporating Lysandra's story, Lilain, together with her friends, Tulip and Oz, learn the truth about what happened to Tutankhamun during his final days, as they journey to Egypt in an action-packed race against time.

K's Opinion:

What a wonderful read this was!  This is a story of friendship, trust, family and curses - it has it all!  Full of excitement and adventure, I very much liked the characters in the book.  Tulip's sense of determination and independence is striking (especially given the period in history) and gives a strong message to readers; as does the fact that Lilian's father touches upon women's rights ("I don't want you to be held back because you came from a working-class family or because you're a girl.").  I also like to portrayal of Howard Carter as somebody who is not to be trusted - a more realistic portrayal?  I think perhaps it is.

This book is a celebration of difference and being yourself ... and being proud of that.  It shows us that friendships can be formed quickly and that your closest friends can often be people you haven't known for very long.  It's a story of bravery and following what you believe is right.  In short, Emma Carroll has done it again!  This will be a guaranteed hit in the classroom come September!  

O's opinion:

The reason I loved this book is because it has mystery and adventure everywhere the characters went: the streets of London; the ferries and trains and the amazing barge in Egypt. Incorporating

Lysandra's story into the plot was amazing because it helped me understand more about Tuttenkhamun when I don't know that much about him; it made me realise he was actually a real person, a young boy, and not just a ruler. I found this book a delight to read.

I loved Oz because he was very smart and, as his sister called him, a "walking encyclopaedia". He wasn't like everyone else, but he is liked by his sister and Lil. I also liked Tulip because she took charge when she needed to and she also let others tell her what to do. If I could be one person in the book I would be Lil's granddad because he travelled the world with his digging friends and discovered lots of interesting artefacts.

This book made me want to visit Egypt and discover everything that lurks there. Emma Carroll has written another fabulous book to add to her collection. Well done.